GRANTS TO PREPARE GEAR UP
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS

Grants are part of the State’s College Preparation
Intervention Program

Annapolis, MD (April 3, 2008)

The Maryland Higher Education Commission has awarded grants
totaling $563,318 to help prepare low-income high school
students for college.

The grants, under the State’s College Preparation Intervention
Program (CPIP), were awarded to six institutions of higher
education to support Maryland “GEAR UP – Focus on Math” sites.
Maryland GEAR UP is a federally funded early intervention
program administered by the Maryland State Department of
Education.

“These grants will provide numerous college preparation
opportunities for low-income students,” said Paula Fitzwater,
director of the Office of Grants for the Maryland Higher
Education Commission. “Support and information will also be
provided to the parents of these students to help them
understand the college admissions and financial aid process.”

This year’s recipients of the CPIP awards will offer a variety
of programming to include academic preparation and enhancement
activities, college and career exploratory activities, financial
aid awareness seminars, and professional development for
teachers.

The following institutions received awards: Salisbury
University; Towson University; University of Maryland, College
Park (School of Engineering); University of Maryland, College
Park (College of Education); University of Maryland Eastern
Shore; and Wor-Wic Community College.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is Maryland’s higher
education coordinating board responsible for establishing
statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges
and universities and for private career schools.